C1 C2 C3 pain, severe headaches + metallic taste = WHATS going on?

I have NEVER been one to have headaches.
Within a 2 week period early this summer, a new headache process developed for me.
The most painful symptom is a neck pain, at the base of my skull. Feels like my skull is being ripped away, like a railroad spike is embedded in there.  Accompanying this pain, is a series of headaches, that shift location and appear anywhere in the skull. The headaches "feel" to be just below my skull, rather than deeper. The headaches occur in tandem with the neck pain. As the neck pain increases - so do the intensities of the headaches. Also, I have now a metallic taste in my mouth, almost constant, to varying degrees. But initially, I noticed the metallic taste intensity, increased with the pain intensities of the other symptoms. Posture of the neck definitely affects my condition. Looking up and sustained time at the computer, I notice a correlation.  The upward tilt one would induce taking many photographs with a camera will also generate this grief. The higher neck area is tender, more tender with greater inflammation. Initially I was alarmed at the headaches, checked in for an exam.  I was advised the CT showed no "bleeds" .  A dose of Maxeran for migraines was given - zero effect.  ok... i'm not dying I told myself, sucked it up and carried on.  These headaches with neck pain vary from severe to medium - my constant companion and I cannot continue anymore. My life is on hold and I am now quite disabled & dysfunctional. I cannot work, sleep properly and am now an angry person with now patience for anything stressful.
There are other possibly pertinent symptoms I had previously, that I attributed perhaps as benign ear / balance problems of vertigo or something else that have long plagued me. Without a doubt I have  ear & balance issues. Of those, I did find the "surreal" and disoriented, lack of focus state I often now find myself in to be the most troubling.
Also,   in the weeks prior to this headache development, my grievous high pitch tinnitus of both ears took a noticeable escalation in intensity AND I noticed eye movements would sometimes add a pulsing layer to that symphony of pain.
    In desperation - I did take a very low dose of my wife's 5mg Oxycontin. Remarkably.... definite, noticeable, partial relief of my neck pain & headache within 20 minutes.  I've snuck in a dozen of those on the worst days just to keep from cracking entirely.
    I went to a Registered massage therapist (a College body in this jurisdiction) to see if neck massage would help. I had some simple palpation and thorough questions while I was examined. The mention of metallic taste in my mouth and its conjunction with headaches ended her hands on contact & she would not treat me. Her concern was a cerebro / spinal cord fluid leak or issue somehow affecting that system.
   Thats all I can offer at the moment, K.



This discussion is related to false positive tests in person who had encephalitis.

[whiteorchid]

It sounds like you might have ligament instability in your neck.  I suggest meeting with an (AAOMED.org) orthopaedic doctor and having them examine you.  Prolotherapy could possibly help you.  Look up barre lioue syndrome - sounds like some of your symptoms.  I'm sorry to hear about the pain you are in...I've been there.  It's taxing physically and emotionally. I'm still not 100% but I'm improving and the prolotherapy has really helped.   Good luck to you...

[trishobryan]

Hello. My husband is having problems that are almost exactly what you are describing above-including the metallic taste. When I read your post to him, it made him cry. Have you gotten any helpful information since you posted this? We are just getting started with all of this and could use any info you might want to share. Thank you for reading, I hope all is going better for you.

[brandycolwell]

have you been tested for heavy metals> most importantly mercury?

also, there is something called Gilberts syndrome.

  i have also read somewhere something about Chiari (sp?)
  
  i would say see a neurologist.

  i hope that you find out what's going on so that your life can return to normal :( living in pain and fear is awful.

[chicken55]

I have similar symptoms. To reassure anyone who has a similar problem, rest and mild excercise has greatly helped. Though I do not know what the cause or problem is, I am feeling better every week. In three months i have gone from hardly sleeping a full night to being able to lie comforably on a cervical pillow at night. Good luck and be patient.

[jay53454]

my nuerologist called it a c2 headache, had pain doc give me a shot in back of head for c2 headache, they havegone away, I cqn feel them start in my neck but they do not progress.  Got about 8 months relief, they are starting to come back, I was told I could get another shot.  This does not help the migraines just the c2 headaches, which is worse than the migraines.